The Commonage property where the 4,000 home development is proposed (photo courtesy of Kerkhoff Develop-Build / website)

By Liam Verster

Life Cycle Cost Analysis Request

Cost analysis discussion deferred for proposed Commonage development

Jan 13, 2026 | 3:00 PM

A discussion regarding whether more information about a proposed major housing project in Vernon is required has been pushed back to a later date.

At the regular council meeting Monday, Jan. 11, Mayor Victor Cumming put forward a motion asking that the developer of the planned 4,000 unit project in the Commonage area provide a third party life cycle cost analysis on the project.

Cumming justified the ask saying the development could have considerable demands on the potable water systems, waste-water treatment systems, and a range of municipal services including fire, police and road and infrastructure maintenance. He also stated in his motion that the development would generate municipal tax revenues, but wanted the analysis done all the same to determine if that would offset the associated costs.

The motion sparked a discussion within the council chambers that lasted nearly an hour.

Councillor Brian Quiring did not wish to order the analysis initially, citing concerns with the potential of causing delays to the work. He did eventually change his mind though, and said if a third party cost analysis be done it should have a strict end time of March 31, to avoid disruptions to the application process, and should be paid for by the city as it was being ordered by council.

Addressing Public Concerns

Proposed Commonage development redesigned

3h ago

Industrial Defence Strategy

Okanagan, B.C. could benefit from defence investments

4h ago

28 Lives Lost in Vernon

Local, provincial overdose deaths declined in 2025

7h ago

Councillor Brian Guy meanwhile was in favour of having the study done, saying even if it did not provide precise data the information it would yield would be beneficial for council in their decision making process.

Councillor Kelly Fehr also was in support of the mayor’s motion, saying this would be a major project and not infill, which the city needs to address housing shortages. He was, however, opposed to the idea of having the city pay for the study.

Following more back and forth about the need for the study and whether it should have a firm time line and be paid for by the city, it was noted that the developer had already submitted some details about the costs to committees, which in turn had provided some recommendation.

Councillor Kari Gares then brought up the fact that most of council had not seen those initial documents or had an opportunity to comment on them, and that the developer was in the process of rewriting those to take into account some of the recommendations.

With the fact that the documents were being redrafted and that members of council had not had a chance to review the initial submissions, council voted to defer the mayor’s motion to a future date.

It was expected that the matter would be brought before Vernon City Council in their first meeting in February.